Moisture-absorbing device



JOHN A. HAMLIN, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOB TO HAMLIN HYGROSTAT CORPORA TION,\OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

MOISTURE-ABSORBING DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

' Patented Aug. 8, 1922.

Application filed August 17, 1921. Serial No. 493,070.

following is a description.

"usually formed of wood.

The general object of my invention is to provide a device adapted to be placed within a piano or within cases of other musical instruments, or in a closet or the like, containing things liable to be deleteriously affected by excessive moisture, said device to be so formed and so charged with material having an aiiinity for moisture, that the device will be efficient in maintaining the humidity at such alow degree as to prevent the binding of keys of an instrument, or other abnormal conditions, due to the presence of the moisture.

I have in view also to carry out the invention in a manner to prevent corrosion or like deleterious effects on the metal parts of musical instruments or other articles by th moisture-absorbing medium.

The nature of the invention and its distinctive features and advantages will clearly appear as the description proceeds.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, it being understood that the drawings are merely illustrative of one example of the invention.

Figure 1 is a partly sectional side elevation of a moisture-absorbing device embodying my invention;

Figure 2 is a top view thereof.

in carrying out my invention in accordance with the illustrated example I provide a base 10 of sufficient area to afford a stable support- The under surface of the base has applied thereto a substantial layer 11 of felt, fabric, or the like, to prevent the device from affecting the vibrations in a piano or other instrument and to prevent extraneous sounds from setting up vibrations in the device and communicating the same to the instrument. A socket 12 of sheet metal is fitted in a depression 13 in the top of the base 10 and is secured by fastener screws 14 passing through the closed bottom of the said socket 12 and into the base lOwhich is I provide a holder 15 of sheet metal, said holder and the socket 12 advantageously belng cylindrical in practice. The holder 15 is in the form of an inverted cup formed with perforations 16 or otherwise made foraminous at the side and top. The lower edge of the holder is formed with stamped-up threads 17 adapted to engage corresponding threads formed at the top of the socket 12. For screwing and unscrewing the holder 15, I provide vertical corrugations 18 at the top of the holder giving the holder in eifect, a milled formation at the top, there being a plain imperforate zone 19 directly below the corrugated zones 18, the arrangement serving to promote convenience in the grasping and turning of the holder, and at the same time preventing possible contact of the fingers with the moisture-absorbing substance employed within the holder.

A suitable moisture-absorbing substance, 20, is employed which may consist of starch, powdered asbestos, a lime preparation, or mixtures thereof. The absorbent material 20 is contained in a sack 21 of pervious fabric or other suitable pervious material. In prac tice the filled sack fits the holder 15 so as to be held therein above the bottom of the socket 12, so that the socket will constitute a pan to catch any of the material 20 that may sift through the sack, the provision of the perforations 16 in the sides and top of the holder 15 afi'ording an ample total area of the openings for the absorption of the moisture in the air by the substance 20 and the disposition at the sides and top of the perforations minimizes the possibility of the absorbent material sifting through the sides of the holder 15.

I would state in conclusion that while the illustrated example constitutes a practical embodiment of my invention, I do not limit myself strictly to the exact details herein illustrated, since manifestly the same can be considerably varied without departure from the spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, 1 claim 1. A moisture-absorbing device adapted to be placed in the case of a musical instrument, or a like situation, and comprising a base having a depressed top, a socket secured in said depressed top and constituting a lower end being open and detachably engaged-in said socket, and a pervious sack containing a owdered moisture-absorbing substance, sai d sack and substance being sustained in the holder above the bottom of the pan for the latterfto accommodate any siftin s from the sack.

2. moisture-absorbing device adapted to be placed in the case of a musical instrument, or a like situation, and comprising a base having a de ressed top, a socket secured in'said depresse top, a foraminous inverted holder, its lower end beingopen and detachably engaged in said socket, and a pervious sack containing a powdered moistureabsorbing substance.

3. A moisture-absorbing device including a foraminous holder, a base with which said holder is detachably engaged at an open end thereof, moisture-absorbing material in said holder, and means to prevent sifting of the moisture-absorbing material through the foramina of said holder. v

JOHN A. HAMLIN. 

